Do You Hear Your Heart and Where are You Going?

Nehemiah 2:1-8

In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,
when the wine was in my charge,
I took some and offered it to the king.
As I had never before been sad in his presence,
the king asked me, "Why do you look sad?
If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart."
Though I was seized with great fear, I answered the king:
"May the king live forever!
How could I not look sad
when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins,
and its gates have been eaten out by fire?"
The king asked me, "What is it, then, that you wish?"
I prayed to the God of heaven and then answered the king:
"If it please the king,
and if your servant is deserving of your favor,
send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors' graves,
to rebuild it."
Then the king, and the queen seated beside him,
asked me how long my journey would take
and when I would return.
I set a date that was acceptable to him,
and the king agreed that I might go.

I asked the king further: "If it please the king,
let letters be given to me for the governors
of West-of-Euphrates,
that they may afford me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah;
also a letter for Asaph, the keeper of the royal park,
that he may give me wood for timbering the gates
of the temple-citadel and for the city wall
and the house that I shall occupy."
The king granted my requests,
for the favoring hand of my God was upon me.

I believe that God calls us all in our heart. When I read this I see God's broken heart reaching out to Nehemiah and he used his free will to listen and speak. How many times in my life I have had something on my mind and when asked I said nothing? Countless I tell you. How many times have you had the opportunity to share your heart and refused? I implore you, share your heart, not only with those around you but with your God. He loves you and wants to take care of you. Noticed how Nehemiah spoke with the king. He was humble, compassionate and honest, not ego driven and entitled. This is how God wishes that we would speak with one another.

Luke 9:57-62

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding
on their journey, someone said to him,
"I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus answered him,
"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."
And to another he said, "Follow me."
But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father."
But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God."
And another said, "I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home."
Jesus answered him, "No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God."

I am not going to lie. For a long time I read this and was perplexed. God, doesn't want me to bury my father? God doesn't want me to say goodbye to my family and loved ones before going on a journey? Fact is, these people are using excuses for not following Jesus right now. God wants you to start today, for when we start to pause we run the risk of not following at all. Keep in mind here what is stake. This Jesus idea isn't something that should be a part of your life, it should be your life period. I know that's a tall order right? But keep in mind this life is fleeting, what is important is how you spend eternity, in heaven or hell. The idea that you would risk that for momentary pleasures is ridiculous to God, but we get so wrapped up in this world and the 5 seconds in front of us that we don't see the big picture. Jesus tells the man, "I have no home here, no where to lay my head." For Jesus' home is in heaven for eternity. This world is merely a place to travel through. Question for us all is, where are we going?